Mild in the West, Snowy in the East as 2026 Begins
As Turkey heads into 2026, weather conditions are expected to differ sharply by region. While the western parts of the country are forecast to enjoy temperatures above seasonal averages, snowfall will continue to shape the New Year’s atmosphere in Eastern Anatolia.
According to the latest assessments by the Turkish State Meteorological Service, there is no indication of an “extreme cold” wave affecting the country in the final days of December. Instead, New Year’s Eve is set to pass under relatively mild conditions across much of the west.
A Rainy and Mild New Year’s Eve in Western Turkey
On the night of December 31, 2025, cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya are not expected to see snow. In the Marmara Region, temperatures are forecast to remain 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms, with intermittent rain showers throughout the night.
In Istanbul specifically, the weather is expected to be partly to very cloudy, with occasional rainfall. Nighttime temperatures are likely to hover between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius, reinforcing the picture of a mild start to the new year rather than a wintry one.
Eastern Anatolia Welcomes the New Year Under Snow
In contrast, winter conditions will remain firmly in place in eastern regions. Snowfall currently affecting Erzurum, Kars, Ardahan, and Ağrı is expected to continue intermittently through New Year’s Eve, allowing these provinces to welcome 2026 under a white blanket.
Light snowfall or mixed rain and snow may also be seen in the eastern parts of Central Anatolia and the inland areas of the Eastern Black Sea region.
In Ankara, no precipitation is expected on New Year’s Eve. However, the capital is forecast to experience cold and mostly cloudy conditions. Across Central Anatolia, high-pressure systems may lead to dense fog and mist during the night and early morning hours, potentially reducing visibility.
Colder Days Ahead in January
Meteorological sources note that December has generally been mild, but a shift is on the horizon. From mid-January 2026 onward, a new cold air mass moving in from the Balkans could bring colder conditions and even snowfall to western regions as well, signaling a more classic winter pattern.
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